University of Minnesota Athletics
Banham Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week
12/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2011
Minnesota guard Rachel Banham was named the Big Ten Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week Monday after helping the Golden Gophers post three-straight non-conference victories vs. Air Force, Harvard and Alcorn State last week, including two wins en route to the Best Buy Classic title.
Banham, a freshman from Lakeville, Minn., averaged 15.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.0 steals in Minnesota's trio of wins, while shooting .514 from the field, .500 from three-point range and going a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line.
The rookie opened the week vs. Air Force with a game-high 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting, and also added a career-high six assists, six rebounds and four steals.
Banham then capped off her week by being named to the Best Buy Classic All-Tournament Team. During the event, Banham scored 13 points and tallied four rebounds and three assists in the win vs. Harvard, before matching the game-high with 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting Sunday vs. Alcorn State. She also contributed six rebounds, four steals and two assists in 31 minutes of play vs. the Lady Braves.
The weekly honor is the first for Banham in her career and the first for the Gophers since Kionna Kellogg earned the distinction on Jan. 31, 2011.
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